Eskom had to send a security team with its team to fix a transformer in the heart of the Tshwane civil unrest that had plunged 25 000 customers in darkness on Tuesday.

The transformer at the Mapopane East electricity substation tripped at 5.52pm on Tuesday, impacting substations in Vuka, Winterveld, Nonyane and Makgatho, Eskom said, adding that 25 000 customers were affected.

“This is the same substation where our staff members were chased away by the community earlier because of the protest action that happened today in Tshwane,” Eskom said.

The current violence in parts of Tshwane cannot be good for South Africa’s image, especially in these crucial six months before the ratings agencies announce their next review of the country, Dr Ernest Messina, chief executive of business chamber AHi, told Fin24 on Tuesday.

“The current violence cannot be good for the business community or the general morale of individuals and the community at large,” he said.

“What the result of the violence will be, is a million dollar question. We must remember how the outside world will view SA because of the violence.” – Fin24